I came across this story this week and thought I’d share it with you…

The story is told of the only survivor of a shipwreck who was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed fervently for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but no one came.

He eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after searching for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames. What could be worse? Everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief and anger. He cried out, “God! How could you do this to me?”

Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! “How did you know I was here?” he asked his rescuers.

“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.

The moral of this story: It’s easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn’t lose heart, because God is at work in our lives even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground; it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

What about you? Do you ever feel as if your hut is burning but God doesn’t seem to be paying attention? You’re not alone. Scripture is full of countless examples of individuals who felt as if God was unaware of their plight…yet the opposite was true! God was very aware. Eventually, He turned that hard situation into something good.

We have a knack for underestimating God’s sovereignty in all things. But He has a knack for directing our paths in ways that are beyond our thinking (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Thank heavens! 

PS I’m a believer in giving credit where credit is due, but this story popped up in numerous sites, so I’m trusting it was okay to reprint.